Background

Role of a Transfer Station

Waste transfer stations play an important role in a waste management system, serving as a link between local waste collection programs and the final disposal facility. The primary reason for using a transfer station is to reduce the cost of transporting waste to distant disposal facilities.

Ellensburg Transfer Station

Kittitas County's existing Ellensburg Transfer Station is located off Industrial Way within the City of Ellensburg and is one of two solid waste transfer stations provided by the County. The transfer station property is leased from the City of Ellensburg and the transfer station is operated by Waste Management, Inc. under contract to the County. Opened in 2000, the transfer station is already 17 years old.

The existing station handles solid waste, recyclables, household hazardous waste, and makes compost from yard waste that is received onsite. The station handles approximately 25,000 tons of solid waste every year and serves about 60,000 customers (residents and businesses). Solid waste that is brought to the station is then loaded into transfer trailers and transported approximately 80 miles to the Greater Wenatchee Landfill in Douglas County, Washington. Recyclable materials collected at the transfer station go to Waste Management's recycling facility.

Relocating a Transfer Station

Moving a transfer station is not a fast or easy process. There are many steps to take, lots of planning, and community engagement is needed throughout the process. Below is a brief description of the process we will go through to relocate the County's Ellensburg Transfer Station.

This includes answering questions such as:

What services will be provided at the station, and to whom?

How much waste and recycling do we expect to handle over the life of the new station?

How big a site do we need to provide all the services?

What kind of flexibility do we need to include so we can keep up with changes in the future (population growth, changes in recycling materials, etc.)

These questions are answered in a report known as a Basis of Design report. Click here to view the draft Basis of Design report for the Ellensburg Transfer Station.

This requires finding a site that meets technical requirements identified in the Basis of Design report, meets many different selection criteria (including community values), and can meet all permitting requirements (including environmental concerns and zoning).

Once a site is selected, it is time to design the transfer station to fit the site. Once the size and shape of the site is known, the Basis of Design report is updated to reflect these details. A designer starts laying out all the pieces that go into a transfer station, identifying how traffic will flow, where different facilities will be located on the site, how the operations will work, etc. It is during this stage that the County applies for the permits necessary to build and operate the site.

With the plans all decided, a contractor is secured to build the facilities, install roads and walkways, install signage, etc. Once the site is constructed, it is tested to ensure operations run smoothly, the site is safe for users and it is ready to accept customers.